Are vitamin supplements really dangerous?

Posted on Feb 28th 2007 8:18AM by Brian White

On occasion, I see reports and studies that say vitamins are bad for human consumption. Unfortunately, the details matter in a huge way here -- which vitamins, how much are consumed, what exact detriments are seen, where is the specific research, etc.

According to a recent analysis of antioxidant vitamins taken by tens of millions of people around the world, the conclusion was that the consumption of these supplements won't lead to a longer life. OK -- but does that mean they are dangerous to take?

The large study that involved Vitamins A, E and C -- as well as selenium and beta-carotene -- found that no good or bad was found from those taking antioxidant supplements. The striking part is that the researchers actually found a higher risk of death for vitamin takers. Without seeing all the variables and charts, though, that's a hard statement to corroborate.

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)

Frances 3-05-2010 @ 4:58AM

I do believe the government wants supplements dispensed by prescription only, and I think that will come to pass soon. With that said, altho' I believe the FDA guidelines for daily amts of vitamins and minterals are way too low, I also know that vitamins, minerals and herbs can be dangerous. You always need to research the manufacturers and the supplement you want to take before you take the supplement. I have an MD who is also an alternative medicine doctor. I also always consult with him before I start something new. Decades ago I overdosed on a Selenium supplement. It was a good wakeup call.

Dean 3-05-2010 @ 5:54AM

My son is a detective. Periodically, it is necessary for him to go to nursing homes when someone passes away.
When he does, he must collect all medicinal bottles so they can be destroyed. The average number of prescription bottles is 10 per person! These have belonged to people in their sixties and seventies. On two occasions, there were only a couple of vitamin/supplement bottles. These individuals were in their late nineties! I am 78, feel like 30, and take NO prescriptions! There is a perennial effort made by the government to take control over supplements as they are trying to take over all other aspects of your life. John McCain has Senate Bill 3002 (The Ditary Safety Act) working its way through Congress right now. Call your senator and let them know how you feel about this added attempt to control you and your health decisions.
Good Luck.....PS Take a look at Suzanne Somers and make your own decision about supplements.

most-powerful-antioxidant 3-05-2010 @ 3:05PM

It sure is nice to see some people finally waking up. Yes, there is a current misinformation campaign running to discredit natural vitamins. Yes, the studies are funded by big pharma because they want you to buy prescriptions not natural vitamins, herbs, minerals, anti-oxidants, etc. I want to let everyone know that there are 2 senate bills now trying to take your natural supplements away from you.

Tell Your Senator to OPPOSE S. 3002 AND S. 510 at Zero Cost

salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/568/t/1128/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=26714

capwiz.com/saveoursupplements/issues/alert/?alertid=14705421

- - -
Highest ORAC Most Powerful Antioxidant Known
-Thomas Kopriva, ___www.naturalnooks.com___

JO ANN WHITAKER 2-28-2007 @ 10:04AM

I WAS TOLD TO TAKE EXTRA VITAMIN E TO HELP WITH HOT FLASHES. IT HAS HELPED VERY MUCH. BUT IS IT DANGEROUS TOO? 2,000 MG PER DAY. THANKS,

Viviane 12-25-2010 @ 3:16AM

The amount of vitamin E is 800mg and it is enough. My alternative doctor gave me this with other vitamins.

Chris Coy 3-03-2007 @ 10:03AM

Most people don't even take antioxidant supplements. I personnally take 2oz. of Xango a day and it has helped me. It is all natural and not a pill processed in some lab somewhere.

http://www.thatsgreatjuice.com

Al 3-04-2007 @ 6:41AM

Why do they keep trying to prove something is bad for you when in fact it heals ? I can personally attest to the healing power of vitamins and minerals. Bassically a vitamin supplement is meant to ballance your diet which usually does not give you the full ballance of vitamins needed and when injured you need extra minerals to heal. The point is when vitamins and minerals are taken with the correct amount along with a decent diet leads to better health. I do suggest to try and get your diet in order with proper foods when you can . However there are times when the body does not absorb them well especially when you turn 40 and over. The reason why is your body does not break down proteins into amino acids as well when you get older and minerals must have an amino acid to attach to to absorb. Put this dumb doctor in front of me in a colliseum and I`ll humble him . Don`t believe the disinformation the drug companies try to give thru the media, obviously this was a paid consultant to discredit the healing powers of vitamins and minerals. The drug companies have tried for years to get control of the industry because they have known the dollars they could make from the wonders of health foods and vitamins.

dawn oechsle 3-04-2007 @ 7:25AM

WAKE UP!!! ....

Vitamins harmful or not beneficial is just the government trying to brain wash you ... you can bet the FDA and AMA is involved with this ... and while we are at it, dont forget the medical insurance companies also ...

You know if we take care better care of ourselves, took vitamins, ate food not contaminated with harmful chemiclas, hormones, and the wonderful world of "additives", that the FDA allows, and exercised more,we would be a lot healthier ...

... and ...

If you are healthy, then you wont need docotrs will you? ...hmmm... less money for them .... if no doctors, no need for drugs ...hmmm... less money for the pharmaceutical companies (that the doctors get a kick back on)... medical insurance premiums would go down....

If the food we ate were not polluted in one form or another, and our life styles werent so lazy and stressful, we wouldnt need vitamins ... most people do need vitamins for our bodies are defficient in one form or another ....

I leave you with food for thought:

Does your doctor REALLY want you completely healed? Who would pay his bills if you never came in to visit him? I bet there are vitamin bottles in his cabinet!!!

Viviane 12-25-2010 @ 3:14AM

The doctors do have vitamins botles in their cabinet and eat organic food. I know mine do.

soifer 3-04-2007 @ 11:37AM

I HAVE BEEN DRINKING ALOEVERA JUICE FOR YEARS AND AN ASSORTMENT OF VITAMINS---JUST STARTED TWO YEARS AGO TAKING AHCC.
I BELIEVE THAT THESE TWO HAVE HELPED MY IMMUNE SYSTEM---WHAT DO YOU THINK ??

FGang54663@aol.com 3-04-2007 @ 8:02AM

Linus Pauling knew the advantage of vitamin C ,his book"VITAMIN C and The common Cold".Of coarse what did he know two Noble PRIZES,one for Chemistry:"ATOMIC BONDING" I have been a student of his teaching for many years and have notticed that wounds heal faster when using vitamin C,but what did he know,he only lived into his 90's. Alpha Lipoic Acid keeps my blood sugar lower and also keeps anti-oxidants circulating in my system longer.Alpha Lipoic Acid is also soluable in your fat tissue and your blood.

RUBY VEDA 3-04-2007 @ 7:52AM

MY FAMILY DOC ACTUALLY SUGGESTED I TAKE A GARLIC ,NIACIN AND FISH OIL EACH DAY TO BRING MY CHOLESTEROL INTO NORMAL RANGE. GUESS WHAT FOLKS? IT WORKED !!!!SOUNDS TO ME LIKE YOU MUST MAKE THIS AN INDIVIDUAL CHOICE,SEE WHAT WORKS FOR YOU. REMEMBER TO SMILE AT A STRANGER TODAY PEACE AND LOVE

Betty Jean 3-04-2007 @ 7:53AM

Dawn is 100% correct with her observations about the govt and doctors being behind this push against vitamin use. There is a worldwide org dedicated to getting laws passed that makes it impossible to buy any kind of vitamin or supplement without a prescription.

Of course, taking too much of anything can be dangerous to our health. However, thousands of people every day are poisoned with the wrong medical prescription from professionals.

We need to be aware of this push to convince the world that vitamins, a healthly lifestyle, less drugs(not more) and taking responsibility for our health is detrimental to our health.

There are many documented cases to show that supplements used correctly are beneficial. THere are thousands of reported cases on patients with reactions, some mild and some deadly, to medications given by medical professionals.

We need to read and investigate for ourselves what is helpful and beneficial for US. Do not believe everything you read and hear. Take responsibility for your health and for your life. Love yourself enough to want to make sure that you are doing everything you can to heal yourself and your family.

Jerry in Florida 3-04-2007 @ 8:00AM

Dawn Oechsle hit the nail on the head with her comments. I am starting to see a few medical doctors recommending vitamin supplements for certain ailments to relatives of mine before I had a chance to show them written proof of how vitamins and minerals would help in their situations. Not all nutritionists are reliable but it is easy to see when they are genuine or not by the way they guide you to sources of vitamin and mineral supplements. Do they push only their brand or guide you to the best brand? Drug companies will only downplay vitamins as long as it threatens their future.

mary 3-05-2007 @ 7:31AM

SWakw up America. The goverment wants to take over the natural ( I mean Natural) vitamins business. They are trying to stop the little man. Can this report be a Ploy? look behind the scences. reade the total report first Before you believe everything they tell you. Look how they are replacing cold water fish and putting them into tomatoes to help withstand the coldThey are using synth. vitamins are these the ones they used.

John 3-04-2007 @ 8:19AM

It's all in how they present the findings. It's my understanding that many of the test subjects were already sick. So while the supplements did not "cure" them, the people that issued those findings were misrepresenting the facts when they indicated that the supplements led to a higher death rate. Whoever issued the findings should have been more clear. If your going to test the effectiveness of a supplement, you need to standardize your test subjects. If you're going to use test subjects that are already sick, then the results should be presented that way. But for most healthy people, you should not assume that a supplements failure to "cure" a sick person means that the same suppliement is not good for you.

Carol Zangla 3-04-2007 @ 8:22AM

A note to Jo Ann Whitaker - 2000mg of vitamin E is excessive. I've been reading "Prevention" magazine and other natural health information sources for decades and the consensus is that 400 to 800 mg of vitamin E is enough. My own nurse/practicioner agrees. She also encourages me to keep taking my vitamins and minerals.

John 3-04-2007 @ 12:46PM

Vitamin supplements are not dangerous if taken correctly. Ive healed Cancer in many people using Dr. Hulda Clarks alternative methods of herbs and vitamins. They work!!! I've even amazed some Dr. friends!!

The goverment is now trying to take away our freedom to purchase these miracles, it's time to WAKE UP!

jill kohler 3-04-2007 @ 8:33AM

Have a question to the community. Taking lots of vitamins and supplements and now getting vertigo. Hands are swelling. Do supplements have side effects?
Jill

Dawn Reed 3-04-2007 @ 8:36AM

In conjunction with Carol's response to Jo Ann, I have an aunt who has been a nurse for close to 25 years. Our family history includes many diseases of the breasts. One of which is fibroids. When I first started showing symptoms she suggested I take a supplement of an additional 800mg per day in addition to my regular multi-vitamin. It has worked wonders. None of the symptoms appear as frequently as before or with such fury.